Apparatus and method for extending the coverage area of a licensed wireless communication system using an unlicensed wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

An unlicensed wireless service is adapted to generate the interface protocols of a licensed wireless service to provide transparent transition of communication sessions between a licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. In one embodiment, a mobile station includes level  1,  level  2,  and level  3  protocols for licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station and indoor network controller provide protocol conversion for the unlicensed wireless service into a standard base station controller interface of the licensed wireless service.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/419,785, entitled “Method for Extending theCoverage Area of a Licensed Wireless Communication System Using anUnlicensed Wireless Communications System,” filed Oct. 18, 2002, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

[0002] This application is also related to commonly owned U.S.Applications: Ser. No. 10/115,833, entitled “Unlicensed WirelessCommunications Base Station to Facilitate Unlicensed and LicensedWireless Communications with a Subscriber Device, and Method ofOperation,” filed Apr. 2, 2002; Application Ser. No. 10/251,901,entitled “Apparatus for Supporting the Handover of a TelecommunicationSession between a Licensed Wireless System and an Unlicensed WirelessSystem,” filed Sep. 20, 2002; Provisional Application Ser. No.60/447,575, entitled “Mobile Station Functionality in Support of aSystem for Extending the Coverage Area of a Licensed WirelessCommunication System using an Unlicensed Wireless Communication,” filedFeb. 14, 2003; and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/468,336, entitled“Method for Installation of Broadband Customer Premise Equipment withoutUser/Operator Configuration,” filed May 5, 2003, the contents of each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates generally to telecommunications. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a technique for seamlesslyintegrating voice and data telecommunication services across a licensedwireless system and an unlicensed wireless system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Licensed wireless systems provide mobile wireless communicationsto individuals using wireless transceivers. Licensed wireless systemsrefer to public cellular telephone systems and/or Personal CommunicationServices (PCS) telephone systems. Wireless transceivers include cellulartelephones, PCS telephones, wireless-enabled personal digitalassistants, wireless modems, and the like.

[0005] Licensed wireless systems utilize wireless signal frequenciesthat are licensed from governments. Large fees are paid for access tothese frequencies. Expensive base station equipment is used to supportcommunications on licensed frequencies. Base stations are typicallyinstalled approximately a mile apart from one another. As a result, thequality of service (voice quality and speed of data transfer) inwireless systems is considerably inferior to the quality of serviceafforded by landline (wired) connections. Thus, the user of a licensedwireless system pays relatively high fees for relatively low qualityservice.

[0006] Landline (wired) connections are extensively deployed andgenerally perform at a lower cost with higher quality voice and higherspeed data services. The problem with landline connections is that theyconstrain the mobility of a user. Traditionally, a physical connectionto the landline was required.

[0007] Currently, unlicensed wireless communication systems are deployedto increase the mobility of an individual using a landline. The mobilityrange associated with such systems is typically on the order of 100meters or less. A common unlicensed wireless communication systemincludes a base station with a physical connection to a landline. Thebase station has a RF transceiver to facilitate communication with awireless handset that is operative within a modest distance of the basestation. Thus, this option provides higher quality services at a lowercost, but the services only extend a modest distance from the basestation.

[0008] Thus, there are significant shortcomings associated with currentlandline systems and licensed wireless systems. For this reason,individuals commonly have one telephone number for landlinecommunications and one telephone number for licensed wirelesscommunications. This leads to additional expense and inconvenience foran individual. It would be highly desirable if an individual couldutilize a single telephone number for both landline communications andlicensed wireless communications. Ideally, such a system would allow anindividual, through seamless handoffs between the two systems, toexploit the benefits of each system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A method of integrating a licensed wireless system and anunlicensed wireless system includes initiating a wireless communicationsession in a first region serviced by a first wireless system andmaintaining the wireless communication session in a second regionserviced by a second wireless system. The first wireless system isselected from the group including a licensed wireless system and anunlicensed wireless system. The second wireless system is the unselectedsystem from the group including the licensed wireless system and theunlicensed wireless system.

[0010] The invention also allows the subscriber to roam outside therange of the unlicensed base station without dropping communications.Instead, roaming outside the range of the unlicensed base stationresults in a seamless handoff (also referred to as a hand over) whereincommunication services are automatically provided by the licensedwireless system.

[0011] In one embodiment of a system, a mobile station includes a firstlevel 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for a licensed wireless service.The mobile station also includes a second level 1, level 2, and level 3protocols for an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station isoperable to receive an unlicensed wireless channel from the mobilestation when the mobile station is within an unlicensed wireless servicearea. An indoor network controller is coupled to the indoor base stationand is adapted to exchange signals with a telecommunications network.The indoor network controller and indoor base station are configured toconvert the second level 1, second level 2, and second level 3 protocolsinto a standard base station controller interface recognized by thetelecommunications network. The mobile station, indoor base station, andindoor network controller are configured to establish a communicationsession on an unlicensed wireless channel using the base stationcontroller interface when the mobile station is within the unlicensedwireless service area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] The invention is more fully appreciated in connection with thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1A provides an overview of the indoor access network (IAN)mobile service solution in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0014]FIG. 1B illustrates protocol layers of a mobile set in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 1C illustrates a method of protocol conversion in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates two indoor access network (IAN) options inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates an indoor access network (IAN) Broadbandarchitecture in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates an IAN Hybrid architecture in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 illustrates components of a GSM mobile set for providinglevel 1, level 2, and level 3 layers for a licensed wireless service andan unlicensed wireless service in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0020]FIG. 6 illustrates components of mobile set for providing level 1,level 2, and level 3 layers for a GSM licensed wireless service and anunlicensed wireless service in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0021]FIG. 7A illustrates an IAN protocol architecture in support of GSMmobility management (MM) and connection management (CM) signaling, aswell as IAN-specific signaling in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0022]FIG. 7B illustrates an IAN protocol architecture in support of GSMmobility management (MM) and connection management (CM) signaling, aswell as IAN-specific signaling in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0023]FIG. 8 illustrates an IAN protocol architecture in support of GSMvoice transmission in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 9 illustrates components for level 1, level 2, and level 3layers in a GPRS mobile set in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0025]FIG. 10 illustrates components for level 1, level 2, and level 3layers in a GPRS mobile set in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0026]FIG. 11A illustrates an IAN protocol architecture in support ofGPRS data transmission in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0027]FIG. 11B illustrates an IAN protocol architecture in support ofGPRS data transmission in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0028]FIG. 12 illustrates a conventional GSM/GPRS registration areaconcept in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 13 illustrates registration areas for a licensed wirelessnetwork and an unlicensed wireless network in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 14 illustrates registration areas for a licensed wirelessnetwork and an unlicensed wireless network in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 15 illustrates several possible GSM and IAN coveragescenarios in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 16 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when a mobile station is powered on in an areawith both GSM and IAN coverage in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0033]FIG. 17 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when a mobile station is powered on in an areawith both GSM and IAN coverage in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0034]FIG. 18 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when a powered up mobile station enters IANcoverage from GSM coverage while in the idle mode in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 19 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when a powered up, idle mobile station re-entersIAN coverage following a temporary absence and prior to the expirationof timer T1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 20 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when a powered up mobile station re-enters IANcoverage following a temporary absence and after the expiration of timerT1 but prior to the expiration of timer T2 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 21 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when the IBS and mobile station detect the lossof the IAN connection and both timer T1 and T2 expire in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 22 illustrates exemplary message flows in a first stage ofvoice bearer establishment for the IAN broadband architecture inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 23 illustrates exemplary message flows in a first stage ofbearer establishment for the IAN hybrid architecture in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 24 illustrates exemplary message flows in an optimized IANvoice bearer establishment process associated with the hybridarchitecture in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 25 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case for a mobile originated call in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 26 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case for a mobile terminated call in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 27 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when a IAN-mode call is released by the IANmobile station in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0044]FIG. 28 illustrates exemplary message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when a IAN-mode call is released by the other,non-IAN party in the call in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0045]FIG. 29 is an example of the relay of DTAP supplementary servicemessages in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The present invention is directed towards seamlessly providingwireless services to a mobile station (MS) using both a licensedwireless system and an unlicensed wireless system. The unlicensedwireless system is a short-range wireless system, which may be describedas an “indoor” solution. However, it will be understood through theapplication that the unlicensed wireless system includes unlicensedwireless systems that cover not only a portion of a building but alsolocal outdoor regions, such as outdoor portions of a corporate campusserviced by an unlicensed wireless system. The mobile station may, forexample, be a wireless phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant,or mobile computer. The “mobile station” may also, for example, be afixed wireless device providing a set of terminal adapter functions forconnecting Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Plain OldTelephone Service (POTS) terminals to the wireless system.Representative of this type of device is the Phonecell line of productsfrom Telular Corporation of Chicago, Ill. Application of the presentinvention to this type of device enables the wireless service providerto offer so-called landline replacement service to users, even for userlocations not sufficiently covered by the licensed wireless system.Throughout the following description, acronyms commonly used in thetelecommunications industry for wireless services are utilized alongwith acronyms specific to the present invention. A table of acronymsspecific to this application is included in Appendix I.

[0048]FIG. 1A illustrates an Indoor Access Network (IAN) system 100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As indicated byfirst arrow 104, a licensed wireless communication session is conductedwith a mobile station (MB) 102 to a voice or data telecommunicationsnetwork 114 (e.g., including a mobile switching center (MSC) 116 forvoice data or a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 118 for a datanetwork). The first path 104 includes a wireless channel 106 of alicensed wireless system, a base transceiver station (BTS) 108, privatetrunks 110, and a base station controller (BSC) 112. The base stationcontroller 112 communicates with telecommunications network 114 througha standard base station controller interface 190. For example, the basestation controller 112 may communicate with the MSC via the GSMA-interface for circuit switched voice services and with the SGSN viathe GSM Gb interface for packet data services (GPRS). Conventionallicensed voice and data networks 114 include protocols to permitseamless handoffs from one recognized base station controller 112 toanother base station controller 112 (not shown).

[0049] However, if the mobile station is within range of an indoor basestation (IBS) 128, a wireless session is conducted using an unlicensedchannel of an unlicensed wireless system. In one embodiment, the servicearea of indoor base station 128 is an indoor portion of a building,although it will be understood that the service region of indoor basestation 128 may include an outdoor portion of a building or campus. Asindicated by second arrow 124, the mobile station 102 may be connectedto the telecommunications network 114 via a second data path 124including an unlicensed wireless channel 126, an unlicensed wirelessservice indoor base station (IBS) 128, an access network 130, and anindoor network controller (INC) 132 (also described by the inventors ofthe present application as an “Iswitch”) to voice/data network 114. Theindoor network controller 132 also communicates with network 114 using abase station controller interface 190. As described below in moredetail, indoor base station 128 and indoor network controller 132 mayinclude software entities stored in memory and executing on one or moremicroprocessors (not shown in FIG. 1A) adapted to perform protocolconversion.

[0050] The unlicensed wireless channel 126 may be an unlicensed, freespectrum (e.g., spectrum around 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). The unlicensedwireless service may have an associated communication protocol. Asexamples, the unlicensed wireless service may be a Bluetooth compatiblewireless service, or a wireless local area network (LAN) service (e.g.,the 802.11 IEEE wireless standard). This provides the user withpotentially improved quality of service in the service regions of theunlicensed wireless service. Thus, when a subscriber is within range ofthe unlicensed base station, the subscriber may enjoy low cost, highspeed, and high quality voice and data services. In addition, thesubscriber enjoys extended service range since the handset can receiveservices deep within a building. This type of service range is notreliably provided by a licensed wireless system. However, the subscribercan roam outside the range of the unlicensed base station withoutdropping communications. Instead, roaming outside the range of theunlicensed base station results in a seamless handoff (also referred toas a hand over) wherein communication services are automaticallyprovided by the licensed wireless system, as described in more detail inU.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 10/115,833, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

[0051] Mobile station 102 has a microprocessor and memory (not shown)that includes computer program instructions for executing wirelessprotocols for managing communication sessions. As illustrated in FIG.1B, in one embodiment the mobile station 102 includes a layer 1 protocollayer 142, layer 2 protocol layer 144, and a layer 3 signaling protocollayer for the licensed wireless service that includes a radio resource(RR) sublayer 146, a mobility management (MM) sublayer 148, and a callmanagement (CM) layer 150. It will be understood that the level 1, level2, and level 3 layers may be implemented as software modules, which mayalso be described as software “entities.” In accordance with a commonnomenclature for licensed wireless services, layer 1 is the physicallayer, i.e., the physical baseband for a wireless communication session.The physical layer is the lowest layer of the radio interface andprovides functions to transfer bit streams over physical radio links.Layer 2 is the data link layer. The data link layer provides signalingbetween the mobile station and the base station controller. TheRR-sublayer is concerned with the management of an RR-session, which isthe time that a mobile station is in a dedicated mode, as well as theconfiguration of radio channel, power controller, discontinuingtransmission and reception, and handovers. The mobility management layermanages issues that arise from the mobility of the subscriber. Themobility management layer may, for example, deal with mobile stationlocation, security functions, and authentication. The call controlmanagement layer provides controls for end-to-end call establishment.These functions for a licensed wireless system are well known by thosein the art of wireless communication.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile stationalso includes an unlicensed wireless service physical layer 152 (i.e., aphysical layer for unlicensed wireless service such as Bluetooth,Wireless local area network, or other unlicensed wireless channel). Themobile station also includes an unlicensed wireless service level 2 linklayer 154. The mobile station also includes an unlicensed wirelessservice radio resource sublayer(s) 156. An access mode switch 160 isincluded for the mobile management 148 and call management layers 150 toaccess the unlicensed wireless service radio resource sublayer 156 andunlicensed wireless service link layer 154 when the mobile station 102is within range of an unlicensed wireless service indoor base station128

[0053] The unlicensed radio resource sublayer 156 and unlicensed linklayer 154 may include protocols specific to the unlicensed wirelessservice utilized in addition to protocols selected to facilitateseamless handoff between licensed and unlicensed wireless systems, asdescribed below in more detail. Consequently, the unlicensed radioresource sublayer 156 and unlicensed link layer 154 need to be convertedinto a format compatible with a conventional base station controllerinterface protocol 190 recognized by a MSC, SGSN, or other voice or datanetwork.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1C, in embodiment of the present invention, themobile station 102, indoor base station 128 and indoor networkcontroller 132 provide an interface conversion function to convert thelevel 1, level 2, and level 3 layers of the unlicensed service into aconventional base station subnetwork (BSS) interface 190 (e.g., anA-interface or a Gb-interface). As a result of the protocol conversion,a communication session may be established that is transparent to thevoice network/data network 114, i.e., the voice/data network 114 usesits standard interface and protocols for the communication session as itwould with a conventional communication session handled by aconventional base transceiver station. For example, in some embodimentsthe mobile station 102 and indoor network controller 132 are configuredto initiate location update and service requests that ordinarilyoriginate from a base station controller. As a result, protocols for aseamless handoff of services that is transparent to voice/data network114 are facilitated. This permits, for example, a single phone number tobe used for both the licensed wireless service and the unlicensedwireless service. Additionally, the present invention permits a varietyof services that were traditionally offered only through licensedwireless services to be offered through an unlicensed wireless service.The user thus gets the benefit of potentially higher quality servicewhen their mobile station is located within the area serviced by a highbandwidth unlicensed wireless service while also having access toconventional phone services.

[0055] The licensed wireless service may comprise any licensed wirelessservice having a defined BSS interface protocol 190 for a voice/datanetwork 114. In one embodiment, the licensed wireless service is aGSM/GPRS radio access network, although it will be understood thatembodiments of the present invention include other licensed wirelessservices. For this embodiment, the indoor network controller 132interconnects to the GSM core network via the same base stationcontroller interfaces 190 used by a standard GSM BSS network element.For example, in a GSM application, these interfaces are the GSMA-interface for circuit switched voice services and the GSM Gb interfacefor packet data services (GPRS). In a UMTS application of the invention,the indoor network controller 132 interconnects to the UMTS networkusing a UMTS Iu-cs interface for circuit switched voice services and theUMTS lu-ps interface for packet data services. In a CDMA application ofthe invention, the indoor network controller 132 interconnects with theCDMA network using the CDMA A1 and A2 interfaces for circuit switchedvoice services and the CDMA A10 and A11 interfaces for packet dataservices.

[0056] In a GSM/GPRS embodiment, indoor network controller 132 appearsto the GSM/GPRS core network as a GSM BSS network element and is managedand operated as such. In this architecture the principle elements oftransaction control (e.g., call processing) are provided by highernetwork elements; namely the MSC 116 visitor location registry (VLR) andthe SGSN. Authorized mobile stations are allowed access to the GSM/GPRScore network either directly through the GSM radio access network ifthey are outside of the service area of an indoor base station or viathe indoor access network system 100 if they are within the service areaof an indoor base station 128.

[0057] Since a communication session to the IAN system 100 istransparent to a voice or data network 114, the unlicensed wirelessservice may support all user services that are typically offered by thewireless service provider. In the GSM case, this preferably includes thefollowing basic services: Telephony; Emergency call (e.g., E911 callingin North America); Short message, mobile-terminated point-to-point(MT/PP); Short message, mobile-originated point-to-point (MO/PP); GPRSbearer services; Handover (outdoor-to-indoor, indoor-to-outdoor, voice,data, SMS, SS). Additionally for GSM, this preferably includes thefollowing supplementary services: Call Deflection; Calling LineIdentification Presentation; Calling Line Identification Restriction;Connected Line Identification Presentation; Connected LineIdentification Restriction; Call Forwarding Unconditional; CallForwarding on Mobile Subscriber Busy; Call Forwarding on No Reply; CallForwarding on Mobile Subscriber Not Reachable; Calling NamePresentation; Call Waiting; Call Hold; Multi Party Service; Closed UserGroup; Advice of Charge (Information); Advice of Charge (Charging);User-to-user signaling; Barring of All Outgoing Calls; Barring ofOutgoing International Calls; Barring of Outgoing International Callsexcept those directed to the Home PLMN Country; Barring of All IncomingCalls; Barring of Incoming Calls when Roaming Outside the Home PLMNCountry; Explicit Call Transfer; Support of Private Numbering Plan;Completion of calls to busy subscribers; Unstructured SupplementaryServices Data; SIM Toolkit. Moreover, it preferably includes Regulatoryand Other Services such as: lawfully authorized electronic surveillance(also known as “wiretap”); TTY (also known as Telecommunications Devicefor the Deaf); and Location services.

[0058]FIG. 2 illustrates embodiments of the access network 130configuration for coupling the indoor base station 128 to the indoornetwork controller 132. In one embodiment, the access network isbroadband only. In this architecture, all traffic between the indoornetwork controller 132 and the customer premise equipment (i.e., indoorbase station and mobile station), including all voice service, dataservice and signaling traffic, is conveyed using a broadband accessnetwork. In a hybrid version, both Broadband and POTS are used. In thisarchitecture, all data service and signaling traffic between the indoornetwork controller 132 and the customer premise equipment is conveyedusing a broadband access network; however, voice traffic is conveyedusing common PSTN bearer channels (e.g., POTS or Plain Old TelephoneService). We refer to this as the “hybrid architecture” in thisapplication.

[0059]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an IAN broadbandarchitecture. A K1 interface 305 between the mobile station 102 and theindoor base station 128 is illustrated along with a K2 interface 310between the indoor base station 128 and indoor network controller 132.

[0060]FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a hybrid IAN architecture forGSM. The K1 interface 305 between the mobile station 102 and the indoorbase station 128 and the K2 interface 310 between the indoor basestation 128 and the indoor network controller 132 is illustrated. Theseinterfaces and techniques for protocol conversion will be describedbelow in more detail.

[0061]FIG. 5 provides an overview of a level 1, level 2, and level 3GSM-related protocol architecture for one embodiment of mobile station102. As illustrated, there are two logical radio resource (RR)management entities: the GSM RR entity 546 and the IAN RR entity 556.The protocol architecture includes a GSM baseband level 1 layer 542, GSMlevel 2 link layer 544, Bluetooth baseband level 1 layer 552, Bluetoothlevel 2 layers 554, access mode switch 560, and upper layer protocols580. When the MS (mobile station) is operating in an IAN mode, the IANRR entity 556 is the current “serving” RR entity providing service tothe mobility management (MM) sublayer via the designated service accesspoint (SAP) (RR-SAP) (shown in FIG. 6). The GSM RR entity is detachedfrom the MM sublayer in this mode. The IAN RR entity 556 is a new set offunctions. IAN-RR entity 556 is responsible for several tasks. First theIAN-RR entity 556 is responsible for discovery of IAN coverage and IANregistration. Second, the IAN-RR entity 556 is responsible for emulationof the GSM RR layer to provide the expected services to the MM layer;i.e., create, maintain and tear down RR connections. In one embodiment,all existing GSM 04.07 primitives defined for the RR-SAP apply. Theplug-in of the IAN RR entity 556 is made transparent to the upper layerprotocols in this way. Third, the IAN-RR entity 556 module isresponsible for coordination with the GSM RR entity to manage accessmode switching and handover.

[0062]FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the mobile station 102 showingportions of the level 2 and level 3 layers. In this embodiment, there isprovided IANGSM-SAP 592, GSMIAN-SAP 590 interface handlers for accessmode switching and handover. The IAN RR entity 556 provides coordinationwith the GSM RR entity 546 through the IANGSM-SAP 592, specifically foraccess mode switching and “handout” (i.e., from indoor to outdoor)procedures. The GSM RR entity 546 provides coordination with the IAN RRentity 556 through the GSMIAN-SAP 590, specifically for access modeswitching and “handing over” (i.e., from outdoor to indoor) procedures.The function of mobility management layer 565 and connection managementlayer 570 will be described below in more detail.

[0063]FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment in which an IAN protocolarchitecture supports GSM MM and CM signaling, as well as IAN-specificsignaling for the unlicensed wireless service. The MSC sublayers areconventional, well known features known in the art in regards to themessage transfer part ((MTP) interfaces 705, signaling connectioncontrol part, (SCCP) 707, base station system application part (BSSAP)709, mobility management interface 711, and connection managementinterface 713.

[0064] The IAN-RR protocol supports the IAN “layer 3” signalingfunctions. This includes the end-to-end GSM signaling between the indoornetwork controller 132 and mobile station 102, via IAN-RR message relayfunctions in the indoor base station 128. The indoor network controller132 is responsible for the interworking between these messages and theanalogous A-interface messages. The IAN-RR protocol also supportsIAN-specific signaling between the mobile station 102, indoor basestation 128 and indoor network controller 132; e.g., for mobilestation-to-indoor base station bearer path control.

[0065] The radio resource layers in the mobile station include an IAN-RRsub-layer 556 and an IEP sublayer 557. The IAN-radio resource (RR)protocol is conveyed in an IAN Encapsulation Protocol (IEP) over the K1interface 305, with the IEP being administered by the IEP sublayer 555.The IEP packets are transferred over the K1 interface 305 using theservices of an unlicensed wireless service layer 2 connection accessprocedure (L2CAP) link layer.

[0066] The IAN-RR protocol is conveyed in an IAN Transfer Protocol (ITP)over the K2 interface 310 using an ITP module 702. The ITP messages aretransferred using an IAN Secure Tunnel (IST) connection between theindoor base station 128 and the indoor network controller 132. The ISTmay be provided using standard security protocols. The use of thestandard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol 704 running over TCP/IP 706is shown in FIG. 7A. Another option is to use IPSec. An interveningbroadband access system 719 supports lower level IP connectivity.

[0067] The ITP module also supports non IAN-RR signaling between theindoor base station 128 and the indoor network controller 132. Thisincludes the IBS-to-INC bearer path control signaling. This signalingmay trigger, or be triggered by, IAN-RR signaling. We refer to thissignaling as the indoor base station Management Application Protocol(IBSMAP) 708.

[0068]FIG. 7B illustrates an alternate embodiment in which theIAN-specific protocol functions of indoor base station 128 are moved tomobile station 102, allowing the use of unlicensed access points that donot support IAN-specific functionality but do support generic IPconnectivity; for example, standard Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11b accesspoints. As illustrated, in this embodiment, the SSL-based IAN SecureTunnel and all upper layer protocols terminate on the mobile station.From the perspective of indoor network controller 132, there is nodifference between the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A and thatillustrated in FIG. 7B.

[0069]FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of an IAN protocol architecturein support of GSM voice transmission. Audio flows over the K1 interfacein a format illustrated as the “K1 Audio Format.” For example, the K1audio format may be the 64 kbps continuous variable slope deltamodulation (CVSD) format running over Synchronous Connection Oriented(SCO) channels, as specified in the Bluetooth V1.1 standards. It is alsopossible to use standard voice over IP techniques using Bluetooth,802.11 or other unlicensed technology over the K1 interface. Audio flowsover the K2 interface in a format illustrated as the “K2 Audio Format.”For example, a number of RTP-based audio formats may be used; e.g.,G.711 (A-law or mu-law) and G.729A. Audio flows over the indoor networkcontroller 132 to MSC interface, A, in 64 kbps pulse code modulation(PCM) format (G.711 A-law or mu-law). If the K2 audio format issomething other than G.711, then transcoding is required in the indoornetwork controller 132; likewise, if the K1 and K2 audio formats are notthe same, then transcoding is required in the indoor base station 128.

[0070] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a corresponding GPRS implementation. FIG. 9provides an overview of the GPRS-related protocol architecture for theIAN mobile station. FIG. 10 shows details of one embodiment of aninternal IAN/GPRS protocol architecture of the mobile station. FIG. 11Ashows the corresponding GPRS signaling mode when the mobile station isoperating using the unlicensed wireless service. FIG. 11B shows thecorresponding GPRS data transmission mode when the mobile station isoperating using the unlicensed wireless service. The IAN GPRS protocolarchitecture effectively enables the tunneling of GPRS signaling anddata packets through the IAN utilizing the unlicensed spectrum; theIAN-GRR protocol serves the same tunneling function as the IAN-RRprotocol, but for packet-switched traffic between the mobile station 102and SGSN 118.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 10, the IAN/GPRS architecture includes twological GPRS radio resource (RR) entities: the GPRS RLC 905 entity andthe IAN GRR entity 955. In IAN mode, the IAN GRR entity is the current“serving” RR entity providing service to the logical link control 980(LLC) layer via the designated service access point (GRR-SAP). The GPRSRLC entity is detached from the LLC layer in this mode.

[0072] The IAN-GRR RLC entity 955 is responsible for the followingtasks. First, it emulates the GPRS RLC layer 905 to provide the expectedservices to the upper layer protocols. Second, it coordinates with theGPRS RLC 905 entity to manage access mode switching. In one embodiment,the IAN GRR layer includes IANGPRS-SAP and GPRSIAN-SAP interfacehandlers for access mode switching and modified PLMN/cell reselectionbehavior in IAN mode.

[0073] The IAN GRR entity 955 provides coordination with the GPRS RLCentity 905 through an IAN GPRS-SAP, specifically for access modeswitching procedures. The GPRS RLC entity 905 provides coordination withthe IAN GRR entity through the GPRSIAN-SAP, specifically for access modeswitching procedures.

[0074]FIG. 11A illustrates an embodiment in which an IAN protocolarchitecture supports GPRS signaling. The SGSN layers are conventional,well known features known in the art in regards to the GPRS networkmanagement (NM), packet flow management (PFM), base station system GPRSprotocol (BSSGP), network service (NS), GPRS mobility management (GMM),logical link control (LLC), session management (SM) and short messageservice (SMS) interfaces. The IAN-GRR protocol supports messageencapsulation or tunneling functions. The indoor network controller 132is responsible for terminating the NM, PFM, GMM, BSSGP, and NS layersand for relaying LLC protocol data units (PDUs) conveying GPRS signalingbetween the IAN-GRR encapsulated form present on the K2 interface andthe analogous Gb-interface messages. The indoor base station providessimple IAN-GRR message relay functions between the K1 and K2 interfaces.The IAN protocol architecture in support of GPRS signaling makes use ofthe ITP, SSL, TCP/IP, and IEP layers described in reference to FIG. 7A.GPRS data transmission may also be supported via the architecture ofFIG. 11A, whereby LLC PDUs conveying GPRS data packets are relayed bythe INC and IBS between the SGSN and MS. FIG. 11B illustrates analternate embodiment in which the transport protocol on the K2 interfaceis not the connection-oriented TCP protocol, but is instead theconnectionless UDP protocol. This approach has the advantage of improvedsupport for application protocols that are best matched withconnectionless transports (e.g., voice over IP). Data transfer securityover the K2 provided by SSL in FIG. 11A can be provided by IPSec asshown in FIG. 11B.

[0075] The basic operation of embodiments of the mobile station, basestation, and indoor network controller 132 having been described abovein regards to the operation of level 1, level 2, and level 3 layers andvoice bearer operation, registration, mobility management, and callmanagement procedures will now be discussed for several embodiments.

[0076] Conventional licensed wireless systems include procedures forhanding off a communication session to different components of thelicensed wireless system. These include, for example, handing off asession to different cells under control of the same base stationcontroller, switching cells under control of different base stationcontrollers but belonging to one MSC, and switching cells under controlof different MSCs. In embodiments of the present invention, theseprotocols have been further adapted to initiate a handoff of acommunication session to the unlicensed wireless system when the mobilestation is within range of at least one indoor base station controller.

[0077]FIG. 12 illustrates the concept of registration used for mobilitymanagement in GSM/GPRS. A MSC 116 may have more than one BSC 112 andassociated base station subsystems (BSSs) linked to it, such as BSS112-A and BSS 112-B. The coverage area is split into a plurality oflogical registration areas 1205, such as 1205-x, 1205-y, and 1205-zcalled Location Areas (LA) (for GSM) and Routing Areas (RA) (for GPRS).

[0078] A mobile station 102 is required to register with the basesubsystem (BSS) of the network each time the serving location area (orrouting area) changes. This provides the network with informationregarding the location of the mobile station that may, for example, beused to determine which BTS 108 and BSC 112 will service thecommunication session. One or more location areas identifiers (LAIs) maybe associated with each visitor location register (VLR) in a carrier'snetwork. Likewise, one or more routing area identifiers (RAIs) may becontrolled by a single SGSN. In actual implementations, the number ofdifferent registration areas controlled by each VLR/SGSN is decidedbased upon a tradeoff between minimizing network paging and locationupdating load. The fewer registration areas, the less location updateson the system but the higher the paging load. The higher the number ofregistration areas, the lower the system paging load but the higher thenumber of user registrations. A single location area/routing area 1205-ymay be associated with multiple base station subsystems (BSS). If thisis the case, a mobile-terminated call to a subscriber that is registeredin a particular location area will result in paging requests to each BSSassociated with that location area. Note that there is not necessarily aone-to-one relationship between LAI and RAI; there may be multiple GPRSrouting areas within a single location area.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, in embodiments of the presentinvention, the registration concept is adapted to describe services byone or more indoor base stations 128 to facilitate roaming and handoffbetween the licensed wireless system and the unlicensed wireless system,as described below in more detail. In the present invention, a set ofIAN LAI/RAI pairs defines a set of at least one indoor base stations 128under the control of one indoor network controller 132. Thus, referringto FIG. 13, a single indoor network controller 132 may have one or moreindoor base stations defining location area/routing areas 1305 and 1310serviced by the unlicensed wireless system. One or more licensedwireless service area local area/routing areas may overlap with the IANLAI/RAI. In a first IAN configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, LocationArea and Routing Area identity or identities are shared between the IANsystem and the umbrella GSM network.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the indoor network controller 132 maybe connected to a different MSC/SGSN than those that provide theumbrella GSM/GPRS coverage. For this reason, the mobile set 102 ispreferably provided with the IAN LAI/RAI pair that is associated withthe serving indoor base station 128 by the indoor network controller 132as part of the “IAN Registration” procedure. This information is used inthe mobile set to determine Mobility Management actions while the mobileset is “switched-on” in the GSM/IAN domain; e.g., if a location updateis required upon leaving the indoor coverage area.

[0081] In a second umbrella IAN configuration illustrated in FIG. 14,Location Area and Routing Area identity or identities are not sharedbetween the IAN system and the umbrella GSM network. Consequently, theindoor LAI and RAI 1405 may be substantially different than the outdoorLAI and RAI zones 1410 and 1415. The IAN system is identified by one ora set of registration identifiers (LAI and RAI). The IAN mobile stationarbitrates between the two networks and avoids presenting the GSMnetwork with an overload of registration requests during transientconditions; i.e., temporary movement into and out of the IAN network.

[0082] In one embodiment, an IAN registration is performed by the mobilestation 102 to manage signal load on the public land mobile network(PLMN) infrastructure. An IAN registration is preferably automaticallyperformed by the mobile set on initial detection of IAN coverage orfollowing a temporary interruption of IAN coverage under certainspecific conditions. As described below in more detail, this proactiveregistration process facilitates seamless handoff for a variety ofenvironments and situations that may be encountered. In one embodiment,an IAN registration does not involve any signaling to the PLMNinfrastructure and is wholly contained within the IAN system (i.e., themobile station, indoor base station and indoor network controller). TheIAN registration message delivered to the indoor network controller 132preferably includes (among other parameters): IMSI; GSM update status,and associated parameters (e.g., LAI and TMSI, if available); GPRSupdate status, and associated parameters (e.g., RAI and P-TMSI, ifavailable).

[0083] In one embodiment, the IAN registration procedure is also used bythe indoor network controller 132 to provide the mobile station 102 withthe operating parameters associated with the IAN service on the indoorbase station 128. This is analogous to the use of the GSM broadcastcontrol channel (BCCH) to transmit system parameters to mobile stationsin GSM cells. In this embodiment, the information that is transmittedincludes (among other parameters): IAN-LAI (Location AreaIdentification); IAN-RAI (Routing Area Identification); IAN-CI (CellIdentification); IAN-ARFCN value (for handover purposes); IAN-BSIC value(for handover purposes); Attach/Detach Allowed (ATT) flag setting; GPRSnetwork operating mode; CELL_RESELECT_OFFSET, used to “bias” GSM cellselection in favor of cells with the same registration area as the IANsystem; BA (BCCH Allocation) List: and Timer values. These parametersare packaged in an IAN-System-Information wrapper. This package isincluded in the IAN registration response to the mobile station. Thepackage may also be included in other messages to the mobile station inthe event that a system parameter update is required.

[0084]FIG. 15 illustrates several different radio environments that maybe encountered by an IAN mobile station 102. In the first environment,the GSM and IAN coverage are completely separate and non-overlapping.The second possibility shows partially overlapping GSM and IAN coverage.In the final scenario, and perhaps the most common, the IAN coverage iscompletely encapsulated within the GSM coverage. An IAN device may poweron in any of these environments and may transition between coverageareas in a number of attached states.

[0085] In one embodiment the mobile station 102 scans for both GSM andIAN radio coverage at power on or anytime when the mobile station 102 isidle and there is no coverage of any type. If only GSM coverage isdetected, then the normal GSM mobility management procedure isinitiated. If only IAN coverage is detected, then the mobile station 102establishes a link to the indoor base station 128 and waits for aIAN-LINK-ATTACH message from the indoor base station 128. On receipt ofthe IAN-LINK-ATTACH message (indicating that the received signal levelat the indoor base station 128 has passed a predefined threshold), themobile station 102 performs the IAN registration procedure. Based uponthe information returned, the mobile station 102 then determines if afull network registration is required and if so what type (e.g., GSM orGPRS). If both GSM and IAN coverage are detected, then the mobilestation 102 performs the normal GSM mobility management procedure, thenperforms the IAN registration procedure.

[0086] There is also the possibility that a mobile user may initially beoutside of the IAN coverage zone but eventually move into the IANcoverage zone. Consequently, in one embodiment, at anytime when themobile station 102 is idle, in GSM coverage and there is no IANcoverage, the mobile station 102 periodically scans for IAN coverage. IfIAN coverage is detected, the mobile station 102 initiates the IANregistration procedure described above.

[0087] In some environments, such as inside a building, there may be IANcoverage but no GSM coverage. For this case, it is desirable that GSMscanning and other procedures be performed to enable the mobile station102 to handoff to GSM upon exiting the IAN coverage zone. In oneembodiment, at anytime when the mobile station 102 is idle, in IANcoverage and there is no GSM coverage, the mobile station 102 continuesto perform normal GSM PLMN search procedures. If GSM coverage isdetected, the mobile station 102 records the identification of thepreferred GSM cell for handover or loss of IAN coverage situations. Atanytime when the mobile station is idle, in IAN coverage and there isGSM coverage, the mobile station 102 continues to perform normal GSMcell reselection procedures.

[0088] In one embodiment, the mobile station 102 records theidentification of the preferred GSM cell for handover or loss of IANcoverage situations. At power off with IAN coverage, a detach indication(if required by the PLMN network or normally sent by the mobile stationat power off) is sent by the mobile station 102 to the PLMN via the IAN.This indication is encoded per the current GSM mode of operation (e.g.,GSM or GPRS). At anytime when the mobile station 102 is operating in IANmode (i.e., after successful IAN registration on the IAN), the mobilestation 102 takes the CELL_RESELECT_OFFSET value into account in it GSMPLMN search and cell reselection procedures; i.e., the offset value“encourages” the mobile station 102 to show preference for a GSM cell inthe same registration area as the indoor base station 128.

[0089]FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of initial registration messageflows between the mobile station 102, indoor base station 128, andindoor network controller 132 at power-on between a mobile station,indoor base station, and indoor network controller involved in thenormal, successful case when a mobile station is powered on in an areawith both GSM and IAN coverage. This scenario illustrates the case wherethe IAN cell is in the location area where the mobile station wasalready registered such that an IMSI ATTACH message is not required anda periodic location update is also not required. In step a, upon “switchon” the mobile station will search for GSM and IAN coverage. The mobilestation may first find GSM coverage and perform a location update usingthe outdoor network. In step b, IAN coverage is detected; therefore,secure links are established between the mobile station 102 and indoorbase station 128 and (if not already established) between the indoorbase station 128 and indoor network controller 132. In step c, when theindoor base station 128 determines that the received signal from themobile station is acceptable for IAN service, it sends a IAN-LINK-ATTACHmessage to the mobile station 102. In step d, the mobile station 102sends a IAN-REGISTER message to the indoor base station 128. The indoorbase station 128 relays the IAN-REGISTER message to the indoor networkcontroller 132 using IBSAP. The indoor network controller 132 beginsmonitoring for page requests from the GSM network targeted at the mobilestation in question. In step e, the indoor network controller 132returns an IAN-REGISTER-ACK message to the indoor base station 128. Anindication of the CI and LAI associated with the indoor base station 128is included in this message, contained in the IAN-System-Informationparameter. The indoor base station 128 transparently passes thisinformation to the mobile station 102. The indoor base station 128stores an indication that the mobile station 102 is registered for IANservice. In step f, the mobile station has selected a GSM cell based onnormal GSM cell selection procedures. In step g, the mobile station 102has the following information: 1) The GSM update status and associatedparameters stored on the SIM; 2) the selected GSM cell information basedon normal GSM cell selection procedures; 3) the indoor base station 128cell information provided by the indoor network controller 132 (i.e.,this and the GSM cell information allow the mobile station to determinewhether the IAN configuration is type 1 or 2). Based on thisinformation, the mobile station is required to determine if additionalmobility management procedures are necessary. In this example, themobile station determines that no further mobility management procedureis necessary (i.e., that the service state is for NORMAL SERVICE withthe GSM cell selected). In step h, the IAN portion of the mobile stationcontinues in IAN idle mode.

[0090]FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of registration message flowsand location update message flows at power-on involved in the normal,successful case when a mobile station is powered on in an area with bothGSM and IAN coverage. This scenario illustrates the case (for example)where the IAN cell is in the location area where the mobile station wasalready registered, but an IMSI Attach or Location Update is required.Steps a-f are the same as those described with respect to FIG. 16. Inthe example of FIG. 17, in step g, the mobile station determines that alocation update via the IAN is necessary. In step h, the mobile station102 requests the establishment of a logical IAN-RR session from theindoor base station 128 using the IAN-RR-REQUEST message. This messageincludes the resources that are required for the session (e.g.,signaling channel only or signaling channel and voice channel). Theindoor base station 128 verifies that it can provide the necessaryresources to handle the request (i.e., air interface resources andindoor network controller connectivity). In step i, the indoor basestation 128 signals its acceptance of the IAN-RR session request. Insteps j-m, location update signaling takes place between the mobilestation 102 and MSC 116. In step n, the MSC 116 sends the CLEAR-COMMANDmessage to the indoor network controller 132 to release the radioresource. In step o, the indoor network controller 132 acknowledges therelease of the radio resources in the CLEAR-COMPLETE message. The SCCPconnection associated with the session between the indoor networkcontroller 132 and the MSC 116 is released (signaling not shown). Instep p, the indoor network controller 132 signals the indoor basestation 128 to release the IAN-RR session and associated resources viathe IAN-RR-RELEASE message. The indoor base station 128 forwards themessage to the mobile station. In step q, the mobile stationacknowledges the release of the previously established IAN-RR session,using the IAN-RR-RELEASE-COMPLETE message. The indoor base station 128forwards the acknowledgement to the indoor network controller 132. Instep r, the mobile station 102 continues in IAN idle mode.

[0091]FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of registration message flowsinvolved in the normal, successful case when a powered up mobile station102 enters IAN coverage from GSM coverage while in the idle mode. Instep a, the mobile station 102 performs the appropriate GSM mobilitymanagement procedure (e.g., normal or periodic location update or IMSIattach) while in GSM coverage. This may involve communication betweenthe MSC and the home location register (HLR) using standard protocolssuch as the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol. In step b, IANcoverage is detected. Steps c-f are the same as steps b-e in FIG. 17. Instep g, the mobile station 102 determines that no further mobilitymanagement procedure is necessary. In step h, the mobile station beginsIAN idle mode operation.

[0092]FIG. 19 illustrates embodiment of attachment/detachment messageflows involved in the normal, successful case when a powered up, idlemobile station 102 re-enters IAN coverage following a temporary absenceand prior to the expiration of a timer T1. In step a, the mobile station102 is in IAN idle mode operation. In step b, the indoor base station128 determines that the received signal from the mobile station is nolonger acceptable for IAN service. The indoor base station 128 sends aIAN-LINK-DETACH message to the mobile station 102. The mobile station102 starts timer T1. If the link is lost before the indoor base station128 can send IAN-LINK-DETACH, the mobile station 102 and indoor basestation 128 start timers T1 and T2, respectively. If the link is lostafter sending IAN-LINK-DETACH, the indoor base station 128 starts timerT2. At some later point, the mobile station 102 and indoor base station128 may re-establish the IAN link, in which case the indoor base station128 stops timer T2. The secure link between the indoor base station 128and indoor network controller 132 is still established. In step c, theindoor base station 128 determines that the received signal from themobile station 102 is acceptable for IAN service and sends aIAN-LINK-ATTACH message to the mobile station, prior to the expiry oftimer T1. The mobile station 102 stops timer T1. In step d, the mobilestation 102 continues in IAN idle mode operation.

[0093]FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of detach, attach, andregistration message flows involved in the normal, successful case whena powered up mobile station re-enters IAN coverage following a temporaryabsence and after the expiration of timer T1 but prior to the expirationof timer T2. Steps a-b are the same as in the previous example of FIG.19. In step c, timer T1 expires at the mobile station 102. In step d,the IAN application directs the mobile station 102 to resume normal GSMMM operation. The mobile station 102 selects the GSM cell, which has thesame LAI as the IAN IBS; therefore, there is no need for a locationupdate. In step e, the indoor base station 128 determines that thereceived signal from the mobile station 102 is now acceptable for IANservice. The indoor base station 128 sends an IAN-LINK-ATTACH message tothe mobile station 102. Note that between step-b and step-e, the linkbetween the mobile station and indoor base station 128 may be lost andthen re-established. In step f, the mobile station 102 sends anIAN-REGISTER message to the indoor base station 128. In step g, sincethe indoor base station 128 considers the mobile station 102 to still beactive, it returns an IAN-REGISTER-ACK message to the mobile station 102without notifying the indoor network controller 132. The indoor basestation 128 includes the previously stored IAN-System-Informationparameter. In step h, the mobile station determines that no furthermobility management procedure is necessary. In step I, the IANapplication suspends GSM MM procedures and begins IAN idle modeoperation.

[0094]FIG. 21 illustrates one embodiment of detachment andderegistration message flows involved in the normal, successful casewhen the indoor base station 128 and mobile station 132 detect the lossof the IAN connection and both timers T1 and T2 expire for the idlemode. In step a, the mobile station 102 is in IAN idle mode operation.In step b, the indoor base station 128 determines that the receivedsignal from the mobile station 102 is no longer acceptable for IANservice. The indoor base station 128 sends an IAN-LINK-DETACH message tothe mobile station 102. The mobile station starts timer T1. If the linkis lost before the indoor base station 128 can send IAN-LINK-DETACH, themobile station 102 and indoor base station 128 may start timers T1 andT2, respectively. In step c, the link between the mobile station 102 andindoor base station 128 is lost. The indoor base station 128 startstimer T2. In step d, timer T1 expires at the mobile station 102. In stepe, the IAN application directs the mobile station 102 to resume normalGSM MM operation. The mobile station 102 selects the GSM cell, which hasthe same LAI as the IAN EBS; therefore, there is no need for a locationupdate. The mobile station 102 may also find that no GSM coverage isavailable, in which case it proceeds per normal GSM procedures. In stepf, timer T2 expires at the indoor base station 128. In step g, theindoor base station 128 sends an IAN-DEREGISTER message to the indoornetwork controller 132 containing the reason for the deregistration(i.e., loss of IAN link). The indoor base station 128 releases anyresources assigned to the mobile station 102. The indoor networkcontroller 132 changes the mobile station state to “Inactive” or asimilar state. Subsequent page requests for the mobile station 102 fromthe GSM network are ignored.

[0095]FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of channel activation andassignment request message flows for Voice bearer establishment for theIAN broadband architecture. FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of theanalogous case for the IAN hybrid architecture. The indoor networkcontroller 132 provides the signaling interworking functionality thatallows the switched establishment of bearer paths between the MSC 116and the indoor base station 128.

[0096] In one embodiment, voice bearer establishment between the MSC 116and the mobile station 102 takes place in three stages in the IANbroadband architecture solution: First, the indoor network controller132 establishes a connection to the MSC-INC circuit allocated by the MSC116 during the A-interface circuit assignment process. In the broadbandarchitecture, this is a TDM-to-VoIP connection, converting the TDMchannel to the MSC 116 into a VoIP channel to the indoor base station128. Second, the indoor network controller 132 sends a message to theindoor base station 128, directing it to establish VoIP connectivity tothe VoIP channel established in step one. Finally, the indoor basestation 128 directs the mobile station 102 to establish a voice linkover the unlicensed air interface, and the indoor base station 128connects this channel to the channel established in step two.Acknowledgements are returned from mobile station 102 to indoor basestation 128 to indoor network controller 132 to MSC 116, completing theprocess.

[0097] In both cases illustrated in FIGS. 22-23, the GSM mobileoriginating and mobile terminating voice call signaling is exchangedbetween the mobile station 102 and the indoor network controller 132,flowing over the IAN Secure Tunnel between the indoor network controller132 and the indoor base station 128. The indoor network controller 132provides the necessary interworking between this signaling and theA-interface signaling to the MSC 116. During the call setup process theMSC 116 sends a BSSAP Assignment-Request message over the A-interface tothe indoor network controller 132. A Circuit Identity Code (CIC)identifying a DS0 path between the MSC 116 and the indoor networkcontroller 132 is provided in this message. The DSO terminates on themedia gateway element within the indoor network controller 132. In thebroadband case, on reception of the BSSAP Assignment Request message:The indoor network controller 132 translates the Assignment-Requestmessage into a voice over IP (VoIP) call setup request to the IP addressassociated with the indoor base station 128. The indoor networkcontroller 132 sends a IBSMAP-ACTIVATE-CH message to the indoor basestation 128. This message triggers VoIP channel establishment in theindoor base station 128. The indoor base station 128 sends aIAN-ACTIVATE-CH message to the mobile station 102, triggering voice linkestablishment over the air interface. The mobile station 102 sendsacknowledgement (IAN-ACTIVATE-CH-ACK) to the indoor base station 128 andthe indoor base station 128 sends acknowledgement(IBSMAP-ACTIVATE-CH-ACK) to the indoor network controller 132. Theindoor network controller 132 translates the IBSMAP-ACTIVATE-CH-ACKmessage from the indoor base station 128 into a BSSAP AssignmentComplete message, completing the process.

[0098] Referring to the hybrid case of FIG. 23, the indoor networkcontroller 132 translates the Assignment-Request message into a ISUPcall setup request to the PSTN phone number associated with the indoorbase station 128. The indoor base station 128 answers the call (i.e.,goes off-hook) and the indoor network controller 132 translates the ISUPanswer signal into a BSSAP Assignment-Complete message. Using ISUPsignaling allows this connection to take place in sub-second timeframes.The indoor network controller 132 Application Server subsystem controlsthe Media Gateway subsystem via MGCP or Megaco (H.248) signaling toprovide the switching between the TDM circuit from the MSC and the TDMcircuit to the PSTN.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 24, in one embodiment a further indoor networkcontroller optimization is supported in a hybrid approach. The voicebearer is in the form of TDM DS0 circuits in the indoor networkcontroller 132 from the MSC 116 and TDM DS0 circuits out of the indoornetwork controller 132 to the PSTN (or, potentially, a tandem switch inthe PLMN), thus the media gateway function is not necessary, as shown inFIG. 24. In this case, the indoor network controller 132 performs onlysignaling interworking between the A-interface BSSAP protocol and theISUP protocol. This strategy assumes that the MSC 116 is configured toprovide the circuit allocation function (i.e., the assignment of DS0s).This is the normal operating mode in GSM networks (non-remote-MSC-transcoder operation) as opposed to the alternative where the BSCprovides this function. Circuits may be allocated in pools at the MSC116. A pool of circuits will be required for the support of the indoornetwork controller 132. These bearer circuits will of course not bedirectly connected to the indoor network controller 132 but rather to avoice switch. The MSC 116 may need to allocate GSM descriptors (fullrate, half rate etc.) to this trunk pool. For indoor network controllersupport, these channels may be described in the same manner as full ratechannels; however, this description will bear no relevance to the IANsystem. No transcoding and rate adaptation unit (TRAU) resources will berequired for the origination or termination of IAN calls.

[0100] FIGS. 25-29 illustrate the message flows involved for variouscall management scenarios via the IAN network.

[0101]FIG. 25 illustrates the message flows involved in the normal,successful case of a mobile originated call that includes registrationwith the indoor network controller 132, service request to the MSC 116,assignment requests, establishment of a voice channel, and connection.In step a, the mobile station 102 is registered for IAN service on theindoor network controller 132. In step b, the user enters or selects acalled party number (B) and presses SEND. In step c, the mobile stationrequests the establishment of a logical IAN-RR session from the indoorbase station 128 using the IAN-RR-REQUEST message. This message includesthe resources that are required for the session (i.e., signaling channeland voice channel). The indoor base station 128 verifies that it canprovide the necessary resources to handle the request (i.e., airinterface resources and indoor network controller connectivity). In stepc, the indoor base station 128 signals its acceptance of the IAN-RRsession request. In step d, the mobile station 102 sends aCM-SERVICE-REQUEST message to the indoor base station 128. The indoorbase station 128 relays the message to the indoor network controller 132in an IBSAP message. The IBSAP header contains the mobile stationidentification, which is used to access the mobile station's 102 IANrecord in the indoor network controller 132. The indoor networkcontroller 132 constructs a DTAP CM-SERVICE-REQUEST message. Theidentifier included is the identifier provided by the mobile station.This message is encapsulated inside a BSSMAP COMPLETE-LAYER-3-INFOmessage and sent to the MSC 116. In an optional step e, the MSC 116 mayinitiate the standard GSM authentication procedure.

[0102] In step f, if ciphering is not necessary, the MSC 116 signalsservice acceptance via the CM-SERVICE-ACCEPT message. The indoor networkcontroller 132 relays this message to the mobile station 102. Theprocedure continues at step-g. If ciphering is necessary from the MSC'sperspective (not shown in figure), the MSC 116 sends a BSSMAPCIPHER-MODE-COMMAND message to the indoor network controller 132,including the Encryption Information parameter. The indoor networkcontroller 132 relays this to the mobile station 102 in theCIPHER-MODE-COMMAND message. The mobile station 102 responds with aCIPHER-MODE-COMPLETE message, which the indoor network controller 132encapsulates in a BSSMAP CIPHER-MODE-COMPLETE message to the MSC 116.The mobile station 102 stores the Cipher Mode Setting. Note that this isonly needed to enable ciphering if the call is subsequently handed overto GSM; the request for GSM ciphering does not result in the activationof GSM ciphering for the IAN call. If the BSSMAP CIPHER-MODE-COMMANDmessage includes an identity request (i.e., Cipher Response Modeparameter indicates IMEISV request), then the mobile station 102includes the mobile station identity in the CIPHERING-MODE-COMPLETEmessage.

[0103] Receipt of either the CM-SERVICE-ACCEPT message or theCIPHER-MODE-COMMAND message indicates to the mobile station 102 that theMM connection is established. In step g, on receipt of a confirmationthat the MM connection is established (i.e., receipt of theCM-SERVICE-ACCEPT), the mobile station 102 sends a SETUP message to theindoor network controller 132 and the indoor network controller 132relays a DTAP SETUP message to the MSC 116. The Bearer Capability IEindicates “speech”. In step h, a DTAP CALL-PROCEEDING message isreturned to the indoor network controller 132 by the MSC 116. Thismessage is delivered to the mobile station. In step i, a BSSMAPASSIGNMENT-REQUEST message is sent by the MSC 116 to the indoor networkcontroller 132. A circuit identity code (CIC) for the selected trunk isincluded in this message. In step j, The indoor network controller 132establishes a media gateway connection to the endpoint identified by theCIC. In step k, the indoor network controller 132 sends aIBSMAP-ACTIVATE-CH message to the indoor base station 128; this messagetriggers VoIP channel establishment in the indoor base station 128. Theindoor base station 128 relays an IAN-ACTIVATE-CH message to the mobilestation 102, triggering voice link establishment between the mobilestation 102 and indoor base station 128. In step l, the mobilestation-IBS and IBS-INC voice channels are now established and a voicepath exists between the indoor network controller 132 and mobile station102.

[0104] In step m, the mobile station returns an IAN-ACTIVATE-CH-ACKmessage to the indoor base station 128 and the indoor base station 128returns an IBSMAP-ACTIVATE-CH-ACK message to the indoor networkcontroller 132. The indoor network controller 132 sends a BSSMAPASSIGNMENT-COMPLETE message to the MSC 116. An end to end bearer path isnow established between the MSC 116 and mobile station 102. In step n,the MSC 116 constructs an ISUP IAM using the B subscriber address, andsends it towards the called party's destination exchange PSTN 2505. Instep o, the destination exchange responds with an ISUP ACM message. TheMSC 116 sends a DTAP ALERTING or PROGRESS message to the indoor networkcontroller 132. The message is propagated to the mobile station 102.ALERTING is used, for example, to direct the mobile station 102 toprovide a ringback signal to the calling user; PROGRESS is used, forexample, to notify the mobile station that the ringback signal isavailable inband from the network. Either way, the user hears theringback tone. In step p, the called party answers and the destinationexchange indicates this with an ISUP ACM message. The MSC 116 sends aDTAP CONNECT message to the indoor network controller 132. This in turnis delivered to the mobile station 102. In step q, a chain ofacknowledgements are returned completing the two way path at each hop.In step r, the end-to-end two way path is now in place and voicecommunication begins.

[0105]FIG. 26 illustrates the message flows involved in the normal,successful case for a mobile terminated IAN-mode call. Step a shows themobile station 102 is registered for IAN service on the indoor networkcontroller 132. In step b, the GMSC receives a call from party Aintended for the IAN subscriber from PSTN 2505.

[0106] In step c, the GMSC 2605 queries the home location register (HLR)2610 for routing, sending the MAP Send-Routing-Information requestmessage. The HLR 2610 queries the current serving MSC 116 using the MAPProvide-Roaming-Number request message. In step d, the MSC 116 returns aroaming number, MSRN, in the MAP Provide-Roaming-Number response messageand the HLR 2610 relays this to the GMSC 2605 in the MAPSend-Routing-Information response message. In step e, the GMSC 2605relays the call to the MSC 116. In step f, the MSC 116 sends a BSSMAPPAGING message to all BSCs in the location area, including the indoornetwork controller. The indoor network controller 132 retrieves the userIAN record corresponding to the IMSI in the PAGING message. If no recordis found, or a record is found but the user is not in the active state,the indoor network controller 132 ignores the PAGING message. Otherwise,it sends an IAN-PAGING-REQUEST message to the mobile station. In step g,the mobile station requests the establishment of a logical IAN-RRsession from the indoor base station 128 using the IAN-RR-REQUESTmessage. This message includes the resources that are required for thesession (i.e., signaling channel and voice channel). The indoor basestation 128 verifies that it can provide the necessary resources tohandle the request (i.e., air interface resources and indoor networkcontroller connectivity). In step h, the indoor base station 128 signalsits acceptance of the IAN-RR session request. In step I, the mobilestation sends an IAN-PAGING-RESPONSE message to the indoor networkcontroller. In step j, optionally, the MSC 116 may initiate the standardGSM authentication procedure. If ciphering is necessary from the MSC's116 perspective (not shown in figure), the MSC 116 sends a BSSMAPCIPHER-MODE-COMMAND message to the indoor network controller 132,including the Encryption Information parameter. The indoor networkcontroller 132 relays this to the mobile station in theCIPHER-MODE-COMMAND message. The mobile station 102 responds with aCIPHER-MODE-COMPLETE message, which the indoor network controller 132encapsulates in a BSSMAP CIPHER-MODE-COMPLETE message to the MSC 116.The mobile station stores the Cipher Mode Setting. Note that this isonly needed to enable ciphering if the call is subsequently handed overto GSM; the request for GSM ciphering does not result in the activationof GSM ciphering for the IAN call. If the BSSMAP CIPHER-MODE-COMMANDmessage includes an identity request (i.e., Cipher Response Modeparameter indicates IMEISV request), then the mobile station 102includes the mobile station identity in the CIPHERING-MODE-COMPLETEmessage.

[0107] In step k, the MSC sends a DTAP SETUP message to the indoornetwork controller. The indoor network controller 132 relays the messageto the mobile station 102. In step l, on receipt of the SETUP message,the mobile station sends a CALL-CONFIRMED message to the indoor networkcontroller 132. A DTAP CALL-CONFIRMED message is returned to the MSC 116by the indoor network controller 132. Steps i-m are the same as thosedescribed above for FIG. 24. In step r, the user is alerted. The mobilestation 102 sends an ALERTING message to the indoor network controller132 to indicate that the user is being alerted. The indoor networkcontroller 132 translates this into a DTAP ALERTING message, and the MSC116 returns an ISUP ACM message to the GMSC which forwards an ACM to theoriginating exchange. In step s, the user answers. The mobile station102 sends a CONNECT message to the indoor network controller 132 toindicate that the user has answered. The indoor network controller 132translates this into a DTAP CONNECT message, and the MSC 116 returns anISUP ANM message to the GMSC which forwards an ANM to the originatingexchange. In step t, a chain of acknowledgements are returned completingthe two way path at each hop. In step u, the end-to-end two way path isnow in place and voice communication begins.

[0108] FIGS. 27-28 illustrate examples of call release by an IANsubscriber. FIG. 27 illustrates the message flows involved in thenormal, successful case when an IAN-mode call is released by the mobilestation 102. In step a, the IAN subscriber ends the call (e.g., bypressing the END button). The mobile station 102 sends a DISCONNECTmessage to the indoor network controller 132 and the indoor networkcontroller 132 relays a DTAP DISCONNECT message to the MSC 116. The MSC116 sends an ISUP RELEASE message towards the other party. In step b,the MSC 116 sends a DTAP RELEASE message to the indoor networkcontroller 132. The indoor network controller 132 relays this to themobile station 102. In step c, the mobile station 102 sends aRELEASE-COMPLETE message to the indoor network controller 132 and theindoor network controller 132 relays a DTAP RELEASE-COMPLETE message tothe MSC. At this point, the MSC 116 considers the connection released.The MSC 116 should have received a ISUP RLC message from the otherparty's exchange. In step d, the MSC 116 sends BSSMAP CLEAR COMMAND tothe indoor network controller 132 indicating a request to release theold resources. The SCCP Connection Identifier is used to determine thecorresponding call. In step e, the indoor network controller 132releases the INC-to-MSC circuit associated with the call. In step f, theindoor network controller 132 acknowledges the release in a BSSMAPCLEAR-COMPLETE message to the MSC 116. The SCCP connection associatedwith the call between the indoor network controller 132 and the MSC 116is released (signaling not shown). In step g, the indoor networkcontroller 132 sends an IAN-RR-RELEASE message to the indoor basestation 128. The indoor base station 128 relays the message to themobile station 102. In step h, the mobile station 102 and the indoorbase station 128 releases the voice channels and other resourcesallocated for the call. In step i, the mobile station 102 confirms thecall release with the IAN-RR-RELEASE message to the indoor base station128 and the indoor base station 128 relays this message to the indoornetwork controller 132.

[0109]FIG. 28 illustrates the message flows involved in the normal,successful case when a IAN-mode call is released by the other, non-IANparty in the call. Referring to step a, the other party ends the call(e.g., by hanging up). The MSC 116 receives a ISUP RELEASE message fromthe other party's exchange. The MSC 116 sends a DTAP DISCONNECT messageto the indoor network controller 132 and the indoor network controller132 relays a DISCONNECT message to the mobile station 102. In step b,the mobile station 102 sends a RELEASE message to the indoor networkcontroller 132. The indoor network controller 132 relays this to the MSC116 in the DTAP RELEASE message. The MSC 116 sends a ISUP RLC messagetowards the other party. In step c, the MSC 116 sends a DTAPRELEASE-COMPLETE message to the indoor network controller 132 and theindoor network controller 132 relays a RELEASE-COMPLETE message to themobile station 102. Steps d-i are similar to those described above inregards to FIG. 27.

[0110] Embodiments of the present invention also permit supplementaryGSM services to be provided. GSM has standardized a large number ofservices. Beyond call origination and termination, the followingservices shall be supported by the IAN system: Service Standard (Stage3); Short Message Services 04.11; Supplementary Service Control 04.80;Calling Line Identification Presentation (CLIP) 04.81; Calling LineIdentification Restriction (CLIR) 04.81; Connected Line IdentificationPresentation (CoLP) 04.81; Connected Line Identification Restriction(CoLR) 04.81; Call Forwarding Unconditional 04.82; Call Forwarding Busy04.82; Call Forwarding No Reply 04.82; Call Forwarding Not Reachable04.82; Call Waiting (CW) 04.83; Call Hold (CH) 04.83; Multi Party (MPTY)04.84; Closed User Group (CUG) 04.85; Advice of Charge (AoC) 04.86; UserUser Signaling (UUS) 04.87; Call Barring (CB) 04.88; Explicit CallTransfer (ECT) 04.91; and Name Identification 04.96.

[0111] These supplementary services involve procedures that operateend-to-end between the mobile station 102 and the MSC 116. Beyond thebasic GSM 04.08 direct transfer application part (DTAP) messages alreadydescribed for MO and MT calls, the following 04.08 DTAP messages areused for these additional supplementary service purposes: CP-DATA;CP-ACK; CP-ERROR; REGISTER; FACILITY; HOLD; HOLD-ACKNOWLEDGE;HOLD-REJECT; RETRIEVE; RETRIEVE-ACKNOWLEDGE; RETRIEVE-REJECT;RETRIEVE-REJECT; RETRIEVE-REJECT; RETRIEVE-REJECT; USER-INFORMATION;CONGESTION-CONTROL. These DTAP message are relayed between the mobilestation 102 and MSC 116 by the indoor base station 128 and indoornetwork controller 132 in the same manner as in the other call controland mobility management embodiments.

[0112]FIG. 29 illustrates one embodiment of message flows for providingsupplementary GSM services. Referring to step a, an MM connection isestablished between the mobile station 102 and the MSC 116 for anongoing call. In step b, a user requests a particular supplementaryservice operation (e.g., to put the call on hold). In step c, the mobilestation 102 sends the HOLD message over the K1 interface to the indoorbase station 128. The indoor base station 128 relays the HOLD messageover the K2 interface to the indoor network controller 132. The indoornetwork controller 132 relays the DTAP HOLD message to the MSC 116 overthe A-interface. In step d, the DTAP HOLD-ACK message is sent from MSC116 to mobile station 102 in an analogous manner. In step e, later inthe call, the user requests another supplementary service operation(e.g., to initiate a MultiParty call). In step f, the mobile stationsends the FACILITY message over the K1 interface to the indoor basestation 128. The indoor base station 128 relays the FACILITY messageover the K2 interface to the indoor network controller 132. The indoornetwork controller 132 relays the DTAP FACILITY message to the MSC 116over the A-interface. In step g, the DTAP FACILITY message containingthe response is sent from MSC 116 to mobile station 102 in an analogousmanner.

[0113] It will be understood that an embodiment of the present inventionrelates to a computer storage product with a computer-readable mediumhaving computer code thereon for performing various computer-implementedoperations. The media and computer code may be those specially designedand constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they maybe of the kind well known and available to those having skill in thecomputer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include, butare not limited to: magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, andmagnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and holographic devices;magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices thatare specially configured to store and execute program code, such asapplication-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), programmable logicdevices (“PLDs”) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer codeinclude machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and filescontaining higher-level code that are executed by a computer using aninterpreter. For example, an embodiment of the invention may beimplemented using Java, C++, or other object-oriented programminglanguage and development tools. Another embodiment of the invention maybe implemented in hardwired circuitry in place of, or in combinationwith, machine-executable software instructions.

[0114] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, usedspecific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatspecific details are not required in order to practice the invention.Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of theinvention are presented for purposes of illustration and description.They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variationsare possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosenand described in order to best explain the principles of the inventionand its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled inthe art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents definethe scope of the invention. APPENDIX I Table Of Acronyms ARFCN AbsoluteRF Channel Number ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode ATM VC ATM VirtualCircuit BA BCCH Allocation BAS Broadband Access System BB Broadband BCCHBroadcast Common Control Channel BRAS Broadband Remote Access System(e.g., Redback Networks SMS) BSC Base Station Controller BSS BaseStation Subsystem BSSGP Base Station System GPRS Protocol BSSMAP BaseStation System Management Application Part BTS Base Transceiver StationCDMA Code Division Multiple Access CGI Cell Global Identification CICCircuit Identity Code CLIP Calling Line Presentation CM ConnectionManagement CPE Customer Premises Equipment CS Circuit Switched CVSDContinuous Variable Slope Delta modulation DSL Digital Subscriber LineDSLAM DSL Access Multiplexer DTAP Direct Transfer Application Part ETSIEuropean Telecommunications Standards Institute FCAPS Fault-management,Configuration, Accounting, Performance, and Security FCC US FederalCommunications Commission GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node GMM/SM GPRSMobility Management and Session Management GMSC Gateway MSC GSM GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication GPRS General Packet Radio Service GSNGPRS Support Node GTP GPRS Tunnelling Protocol HLR Home LocationRegister IAN Indoor Access Network IAN-RR Indoor Access Network RadioResource Management IBS Indoor Base Station. The indoor base station isthe fixed part of the customer premise solution. The indoor base stationprovides indoor unlicensed wireless coverage, and connects to the accessnetwork to enable indoor service delivery. An IBS can be a single accesspoint, or a set of access points with a centralized controller IBSAP IBSApplication Protocol IBSMAP IBS Management Application Protocol IEP IANEncapsulation Protocol IETF Internet Engineering Task Force IMEIInternational Mobile Station Equipment Identity IMSI InternationalMobile Subscriber Identity INC Indoor Network Controller INC IndoorNetwork Controller (also referred to as the “iSwitch” in this document).The indoor network controller is the component of the IAN networkequipment that manages the indoor access network, and provides thephysical layer interface(s) to the access network. IP Internet ProtocolISDN Integrated Services Digital Network ISP Internet Service ProviderISP IP Internet Service Provider's IP Network (i.e., typically providedby broadband service provider) IST IAN Secure Tunnel ISUP ISDN User PartITP IAN Transfer Protocol K1 Interface between mobile station and indoorbase station K2 Interface between indoor base station and indoor networkcontroller LA Location Area LAI Location Area Identification LLC LogicalLink Control MAC Medium Access Control MAP Mobile Application Part MDNMobile Directory Number MG Media Gateway MM Mobility Management MMMobility Management MS Mobile Station MSC Mobile Switching Center MSCMobile Switching Center MSISDN Mobile Station International ISDN NumberMSRN Mobile Station Roaming Number MTP1 Message Transfer Part Layer 1MTP2 Message Transfer Part Layer 2 MTP3 Message Transfer Part Layer 3NAPT Network Address and Port Translation NAT Network AddressTranslation NS Network Service PCM Pulse Code Modulation PCS PersonalCommunication Services PCS Personal Communications Services PLMN PublicLand Mobile Network POTS Plain Old Telephone Service PPP Point-to-PointProtocol PPPoE PPP over Ethernet protocol PSTN Public Switched TelephoneNetwork P-TMSI Packet Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity QoS Qualityof Service RA Routing Area RAC Routing Area Code RAI Routing AreaIdentification RAI Routing Area Identity RF Radio Frequency RFC Requestfor Comment (IETF Standard) RLC Radio Link Control RR Radio ResourceManagement RTCP Real Time Control Protocol RTCP Real Time ControlProtocol RTP Real Time Protocol RTP Real Time Protocol SAP ServiceAccess Point SCCP Signaling Connection Control Part SCO SynchronousConnection-Oriented SDCCH Standalone Dedicated Control Channel SGSNServing GPRS Support Node SMC Short Message Service Centre SMS ShortMessage Service SM-SC Short Message Service Centre SMS- Short MessageService Gateway MSC GMSC SMS- Short Message Service Interworking MSCIWMSC SNDCP SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol SS SupplementaryService SSL Secure Sockets Layer TCAP Transaction CapabilitiesApplication Part TCP Transmission Control Protocol TCP TransmissionControl Protocol TLLI Temporary Logical Link Identity TMSI TemporaryMobile Subscriber Identity TRAU Transcoder and Rate Adaptation Unit TTYText telephone or teletypewriter UDP User Datagram Protocol UMTSUniversal Mobile Telecommunication System VLR Visited Location RegisterVMSC Visited MSC WSP IP Wireless Service Provider's IP Network (i.e.,provider of IAN service)

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a mobile station,including: a first level 1, a first level 2, and a first level 3protocol for a licensed wireless service having a licensed wirelesschannel serviced by a telecommunications network; and a second level 1,a second level 2, and a second level 3 protocol for an unlicensedwireless service activated when said mobile station is within anunlicensed wireless service area; an indoor base station operable toreceive an unlicensed wireless channel from said mobile station; and anindoor network controller coupled to said indoor base station andadapted to exchange signals with said telecommunications network;wherein said network controller and said indoor base station areconfigured to convert said second level 1, said second level 2, and saidsecond level 3 protocol into a standard base station controllerinterface protocol recognized by said telecommunications network;wherein said mobile station, said indoor base station, and said networkcontroller are configured to establish a communication session on saidunlicensed wireless channel using said standard base station controllerinterface protocol of said licensed network.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein said mobile station, indoor base station, and network controllerare configured to generate a service request message to saidtelecommunications network to initiate a handover from said licensedwireless channel to said unlicensed wireless channel.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said telecommunication network comprises a mobileswitch center for voice data.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein saidmobile station is configured to register its location with said indoornetwork controller subsequent to detection that it is within saidunlicensed wireless service area.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein saidsecond level 1 protocol comprises a Bluetooth protocol.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises a wireless localarea network protocol.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said secondlevel 3 protocol comprises a radio resource sublayer adapted for saidunlicensed wireless system, wherein an access mode switch is triggeredto utilize a mobility management sublayer and a call management sublayershared with said first level 3 protocol.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein said mobile station is configured to register its location withsaid indoor network controller.
 9. A method of providing wirelessservices using an unlicensed wireless service and a licensed wirelessservice, the method comprising: in a first mode of operation, utilizinga licensed wireless channel associated with a telecommunications networkto service a communication session with a mobile station; in response todetecting that said mobile station is within a service area of saidunlicensed wireless service, generating level 1, level 2, and level 3protocols of said mobile set for said unlicensed wireless service;converting said level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for saidunlicensed wireless service into a base station controller interfaceformat compatible with said telecommunications network; and sending arequest to said telecommunications network in said base stationcontroller format to service a communications session using anunlicensed wireless channel of said unlicensed wireless service.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: generating a location update forsaid unlicensed service; and sending said location update to saidtelecommunications network in said base station controller format. 11.The method of claim 9, further comprising: subsequent to said detectingthat said mobile station is with said service area of said unlicensedwireless service, registering with an indoor network controller.
 12. Themethod of said 9, wherein said converting is performed in at least oneof an indoor base station and an indoor network controller.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein said level 1 protocol is a Bluetooth level 1protocol.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said level 2 protocol is aBluetooth level 2 protocol.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein saidlevel 1 protocol is a wireless local area network protocol.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein said level 2 protocol is a wireless localarea network level 2 protocol.
 17. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: in response to detecting that said mobile station is leavingsaid service area of said unlicensed wireless service, sending a messageto said telecommunications network indicative of a detached condition,whereby said telecommunications network initiates a handover to saidlicensed wireless service.
 18. A method of providing wireless serviceusing an unlicensed wireless channel and a licensed wireless channel,the method comprising; in a first mode, servicing a communicationsession using a licensed wireless channel; in a second mode, generatingprotocols for servicing a communication session using said unlicensedwireless channel, wherein said protocols are in a base stationcontroller interface format received by a telecommunication networkservicing said licensed wireless channel; and emulating a base stationcontroller service request to trigger said telecommunication network toinitiate a handover between said licensed wireless channel and saidunlicensed wireless channel.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: emulating a base station controller request to handoff acommunication session to another base station controller.
 20. The methodof claim 18, wherein a single telephone number is associated withproviding a communication session on either said licensed wirelessservice or said unlicensed wireless service.